Salvation and Witnessing

The reason I chose this topic today is because I am speaking at a treatment center here in GR next week. They asked me to speak on the same topic. I was just going through some of my old hand-written blogs/journals and found an entry I had written just over a year ago. In this entry I quote Romans 1:9 which says, "For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son..." I continue to write in the entry of how after I first gave my life to Christ in 2001 (see me testimony on the "About Us" page), I really didn't do much with my walk other than go to church once, maybe twice a week. I really began my walk in 2007, but was just really getting going. I guess where I'm going with all of this is I ended the passage with these words: "Today I pray for God to make me a stronger witness by way of the Holy Spirit. I pray to draw so close to Christ and know Him so intimately, that others see Him in me."

So here I am, less than a year later- and I can say that I am far more confident in my witnessing and am not ashamed of my salvation or how I got here (Rom 1:16-17). Trust me, I still struggle with witnessing to some people (mostly family), but I pray to continue to carry my life out as a Christ-like model. (Phil 1:6) But overall, I have found it not only enjoyable to share the Good News, but also a duty and calling. In fact, Jesus commands us to do it in the Great Commission! (Matt 28:18-20)

I am going to talk briefly to two groups of people who may be reading this: the unsaved and those kinda just going through the motions like I did. First of all, to those of you who have never given your life to Christ, or maybe have back-slid. Several things are at stake here- the most important being your eternal future. Jesus tells us that no one comes to the Father but through Him, and to reach the Kingdom of Heaven one must be born again. Romans 10:9 gives a good outline of what it takes to be saved, but as long as you ask Jesus into your life with a truly repentant heart- He will hear you. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just sincere. The second point is that we can not become witnesses of Christ until He lives within us. Most of John chapters 14-16 are great examples of how Jesus not only sends us the Holy Spirit to carry and guide us, but also, how we can not do anything apart from Him (John 15:5). Finally, becoming the dads we were created to be. I know whatever you are going through right now hurts, is tough, and you may see no way out- but we find a completeness and wholeness in Jesus that this world could never offer! Trust Him, let Him be your Guide and Light.

If you have given your life to Christ in the past, but have walked away from Him for whatever reason- today is the day to recommit your life to Him. Confess and repent of your sins. Ask Him to wash you clean; and give Him control again. Stay in the Word; pray fervently; attend church faithfully; and begin to surround yourselves with other strong believers. Find a small group that fits you- whether at your church or with some friends. Change what you watch on tv or at the movies and switch your choice of music. (If these things are an issue) Most of all- submit yourself and lay your life down daily for the Lord! (Matt 16:24-26) If you do, you will be amazed at what God will do for you in your life as time passes.

God Bless!